Bolstered by a recent “patient dumping” incident in Baltimore that garnered embarrassing national attention, legislation to outline a bill of rights for Maryland hospital patients passed the state Senate on Friday. But even with the heightened concern, the proposal could be headed for failure. Advocates who originally backed the measure are now begging lawmakers to kill a revised version of it. Senators approved the bill, 36-7, with little discussion, despite arguments among lawmakers, patient advocates and hospital executives over which rights should be enshrined in state law and which should be the prerogative of caregivers. (Balt. Sun)

Bill to allow court evidence of repeat sex offenses advances in Senate, but fate in House appears dim

A bill to allow evidence in court of sexual predatory behavior by people accused of sex crimes advanced last week in the Senate, but chances of the legislation progressing in the House are dim, with one committee leader wanting judges to decide the issue. The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee passed an amended bill Thursday that will effectively allow prosecutors to introduce evidence of other sexually assaultive behavior by defendants. Maryland courts typically never allow that unless it is for the same victim. (Md. Reporter)

What’s in a title? A lot more meaning than Del. Keith Haynes expected. The Baltimore Democrat said Friday he is withdrawing his proposal to change the title of the city school’s chief — from “CEO” to “superintendent” — amid criticism from his colleagues that the shift appears sexist. The seemingly mundane title change produced a heated exchange at the weekly meeting of Baltimore’s House delegation. The title was changed from “superintendent” to “CEO” two decades ago amid a push for the beleaguered school system to conduct itself more like a business. But Haynes’s bill proposes to switch the title back to “superintendent” to place greater emphasis on academics. (Balt. Sun)

Harford County and Maryland say farewell to Sen. Wayne Norman

The funeral service was held Friday morning for Harford County State. Sen. H. Wayne Norman Jr. at Mountain Christian Church New Life Center in Joppa. Dignitaries from around the state, led by Gov. Larry Hogan, paid final respects to the popular senator from Bel Air who died in his sleep Sunday at age 62. A steady stream of folks made their way into the New Life Center, some stopping in front of the building to share a hug and a quick hello or greeting each other as they quickly crossed the parking lot in the chilling wind making their way to the building to celebrate the life of Sen. Norman.(Aegis)

The Anne Arundel County state’s attorney paid $40,000 in political consulting fees last year to a firm that employs one of his top aides, a relationship that even members of his own party have questioned. Prosecutor Wes Adams reported the payments to Scott Strategies in his end-of-year campaign finance report for 2017. Assistant State’s Attorney Lawrence Scott, who ran Adams’ 2014 campaign, identified himself as an employee of the company owned by his wife, Francine, in the state list of registered lobbyists. (Md. Gazette)

Some bills die a quick death as General Assembly approaches end

Between them, Washington County's six legislators have filed 101 bills during this year's Maryland General Assembly. With one month left in the legislative session, 15 of those bills have bitten the dust, and five have been approved by one chamber of the Legislature and await action by the other. The other 81 are still alive in some form; a few are still awaiting their first hearing before one of the 10 standing legislative committees. (Herald-Mail)

March 9 // Baker’s foes turn up the heat on Prince George’s schools

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) found himself under increasing attack on Thursday, as a gubernatorial rival, a candidate for his current post and an influential union leader lobbed sharp criticism his way. At issue: pay raises for top school system personnel that some members of the Prince George’s County Board of Education say were not authorized. A minority bloc of the panel charged in a letter on Wednesday that a small group of central office personnel received raises of 10-12 percent last month, at the same time a proposal to increase teacher pay by 4 percent was being rejected. (Md. Matters)

Local teachers union unveils endorsements for Montgomery County Council, Board of Education

The Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) on Thursday unveiled its endorsements in several competitive County Council and Board of Education races this June—but opted to hold off making a choice on who it would like to see as the next county executive. “MCEA may choose to make further endorsements, including for the office of county executive, depending upon the outcome of the county budget process,” said a release from the organization, which represents the teaching staff of the county’s public school system. (Bethesda)